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Canada Question Period: Current, former Finance Ministers defend not tabling Spring Budget - The Economic Times Video

Canada Question Period: Current, former Finance Ministers defend not tabling Spring Budget - The Economic Times Video

Time of India10-06-2025
Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne defended the Liberal government's decision to not table the Spring Budget in the face of Trump tariffs. Former Deputy PM and Finance Minister, now minister of Transport and Internal Trade Chrystia Freeland also joined the Liberal caucus to defend PM Carney's moves on pipelines and unified trade.
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No president's gift collection looks like Trump's: Here's what makes it so different
No president's gift collection looks like Trump's: Here's what makes it so different

Economic Times

time3 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

No president's gift collection looks like Trump's: Here's what makes it so different

Reuters A gift given by Apple CEO Tim Cook to U.S. President Donald Trump Donald Trump, throughout his presidency, has been the recipient of an extraordinary array of gifts—from luxury jets worth hundreds of millions to golden golf clubs and bespoke plaques. These presents reflect not only diplomatic gestures but also the spectacle around Trump's unique place on the global stage. The latest dazzling addition to the collection was a commemorative plaque gifted by Apple CEO Tim Cook in August 2025. This plaque features a circular piece of Corning Gorilla Glass mounted on a 24-karat gold base crafted by a former US Marine working at Apple. It was presented alongside the announcement of Apple's $600 billion investment in American manufacturing, symbolizing an intertwining of corporate influence, patriotism, and the Trump-era flair for ostentation. Yet, this shining gift is but one of many that have sparked media attention and public debate over the years. Earlier in 2025, Trump accepted perhaps the most expensive gift ever bestowed upon a US president—a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar. Valued at approximately $400 million, this 'palace in the sky' was intended as a replacement for Air Force One during his remaining time in office, later to be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation. This gift sums up to be more in cost and spectacle than nearly all presidential gifts in recent history. According to White House spokesman Davis Ingle, these lavish gifts often symbolize historic investments and diplomatic goodwill inspired by Trump's 'bold vision' for American industry and international relations, reported Axios. Other eye-catching presents include: A full set of 1984 Olympic medals recognizing Trump's role as Chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Gold-plated luxury golf clubs gifted by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, intended to cement a "special relationship," although these clubs are notably missing from the National Archives. Diplomatic gifts during his tenure range from a ruby and emerald pendant necklace from Saudi King Salman, valued at $6,400, to a bronze Arabian horse sculpture from Bahrain's Crown Prince, as well as intricately carved stone artifacts and personalized books of Psalms from religious officials during high-profile visits. A nearly $5,000 Mont Blanc writing set from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and gemstone portraits from world leaders like Vietnam's Prime Minister contributed further to the eclectic trove. The White House in the Trump era is witnessing a marked shift from the traditionally understated to the extravagant and personalized, reflecting Trump's personality and the global political dynamics of his time. However, the acceptance of such lavish gifts has also drawn legal and ethical scrutiny. A 2023 report by the then Democrat-led House Committee on Oversight and Accountability revealed that the Trump administration failed to report at least 117 foreign gifts during his first term. Some of these valued up to $24,000, including Saudi daggers, swords, and luxury winter coats, breaching disclosure rules governing presidential gifts. The missing gold golf clubs from Japan symbolize concerns about formal record-keeping and these gifts have been accepted, there are provisions that, in cases, prohibits the US president from accepting gifts from foreign governments. Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the US Constitution prohibits any federal official, including the President, from accepting personal gifts from foreign governments or foreign officials without the consent of Congress. The Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act (1966) governs acceptance of gifts from foreign governments. Gifts from foreign officials above a minimal value threshold (set by the General Services Administration) must be declared and typically become property of the United States, housed in the National Archives or presidential libraries unless purchased by the President.

Trump administration threatens to seize Harvard patents in federal funding dispute
Trump administration threatens to seize Harvard patents in federal funding dispute

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time3 minutes ago

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Trump administration threatens to seize Harvard patents in federal funding dispute

The Trump administration has warned Harvard University that it could lose control of its lucrative patent portfolio, adding to the ongoing confrontation between the White House and the Ivy League institution, reported The Guardian. In a letter posted online Friday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick accused Harvard of breaching legal and contractual obligations tied to research funded by the federal government. Lutnick said the Commerce Department had initiated a 'march-in' process under the Bayh-Dole Act, which allows the government to take ownership of patents or issue new licences if certain requirements are not met. 'The Department places immense value on the groundbreaking scientific and technological advancements that emerge from the Government's partnerships with institutions like Harvard,' Lutnick wrote. He added that the university had a 'critical responsibility' to ensure that the federally funded intellectual property benefits the American public. Lutnick gave Harvard four weeks to submit a list of all patents linked to federal research grants, including details on their use and whether licensing agreements require 'substantial US manufacturing', The Guardian reported. As of 1 July 2024, Harvard's Office of Technology Development reported more than 5,800 active patents and over 900 technology licences with 650 industry partners. The patent review is the latest step in a broader White House campaign against Harvard, which the administration has accused of violating civil rights law by not fully complying with directives on addressing alleged antisemitism linked to student protests over Israel's war in Gaza. In April, Harvard sued the federal government after billions of dollars in research funding were frozen or revoked. Other universities under similar scrutiny, including Columbia University and Brown University, have reached financial settlements with Washington. Enacted in 1980, the bipartisan Bayh-Dole Act allows institutions to retain ownership of inventions developed with federal funding, provided they meet certain conditions. Supporters, including former President Jimmy Carter, have described the law as key to fostering innovation and strengthening the US economy. (With inputs from The Guardian)

As Netanyahu moves toward full takeover of Gaza, Israel faces a crisis of international credibility
As Netanyahu moves toward full takeover of Gaza, Israel faces a crisis of international credibility

New Indian Express

time26 minutes ago

  • New Indian Express

As Netanyahu moves toward full takeover of Gaza, Israel faces a crisis of international credibility

Israel's global partners distancing themselves With images of starving children in Gaza dominating the news in recent weeks, many of Israel's friends in the Western alliance have similarly reached the point at which they can no longer tolerate its policy actions. In a major shift in global opinion, France announced it would recognise Palestinian statehood in September. The United Kingdom and Canada vowed to follow suit. Even Germany has now begun the process for recognition. And Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated his country's recognition of Palestine was only a matter of time. Spain and Sweden have called for the suspension of the European Union's trade agreement with Israel, while the Netherlands has officially labelled Israel a 'security threat', citing attempts to influence Dutch public opinion. Israel and the US have rejected all these accusations and moves. The momentum against Israel in the international community, however, has left it with the US as its only major global supporter. Israel's sovereignty, security and prosperity now ride on the back of America's continued support. Without US assistance, in particular its billions of dollars' worth of arms exports, Israel would have struggled to maintain its devastating Gaza campaign or repressive occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Yet, despite Trump's deep commitment to Israel, many in the US electorate are seriously questioning the depth of Netanyahu's influence in Washington and the value of US aid to Israel. According to a Gallup poll in March, fewer than half of Americans are sympathetic toward Israel. This discontent has also been voiced by some of Trump's MAGA ideologues and devotees, such as political strategist Steve Bannon and congressional hardliner Marjorie Taylor Greene. Even Trump publicly questioned Netanyahu on his claim there was no starvation in Gaza. Israelis have dim view of two-state solution Many Israelis would like to see the back of Netanyahu and his extremist right-wing ruling cohort, especially given his failure to secure the release of all the hostages from Hamas. Many want the war to end, too. Recent polling by Israel's Channel 12 found that 74% of Israelis back a deal to end the war in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. However, a majority of Israelis maintain a dim view of a future Palestinian state. One poll commissioned by a US academic showed 82% of Jewish Israeli respondents backed the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. And a Pew poll in early 2025 showed that just 16% of Jewish Israelis believe peaceful coexistence with a Palestinian state is possible, the lowest percentage since the pollsters began asking the question in 2013. This indicates that not only the Israeli state, but also its electorate, has moved to the extreme of the political spectrum in relation to acknowledging the right of the Palestinians to an independent state of their own. Under international pressure, Netanyahu has expediently allowed a little more humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza. However, his new plan for a full military takeover of Gaza indicates he is not prepared to change course in the war, as long as US support remains steady. His government is bent on eliminating Hamas and potentially depopulating and annexing Gaza, followed possibly by the West Bank. Such a move would render the idea of a two-state solution totally defunct. To stop this happening, Washington needs to align with the rest of the global community. Otherwise, an unrestrained and isolated Israel will only widen the rift between the US and its traditional allies in a highly polarised world. Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, Australian National University; Vice Chancellor's Strategic Fellow, Victoria University; Adjunct Professor of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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